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The Federalization of SITES 

The Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) expands the Smithsonian's presence beyond Washington, D.C. by circulating exhibitions to audiences in museums large and small and in schools, libraries, science centers, historical societies, zoos, aquariums, and community centers. SITES exhibitions reach nearly 11 million people annually in the United States and abroad. A commitment to audience access drives the development of all SITES programs. Its top priority is increasing the availability of Smithsonian-created exhibitions among people who cannot see them first-hand by visiting the Institution's museums. 

SITES was established in 1952 as a self-supporting Smithsonian outreach program. Its initial exhibitions -- large-scale, artifact-intensive shows -- were funded by a State Department subsidy (which ended in 1962) for international cultural exchange and by rental fees charged to host museums. SITES' ability to support its operating expenses began to erode in 1965. The cost of producing exhibitions and related products -- educational and publicity materials, publications, and information about artifacts documentation, packing, shipping, installation, security, and international loan procedures -- demanded a level of financial support that no longer could be sustained by rental fee income alone. 

SITES received $1.4 million in its fiscal year 1991 appropriation for the purpose of supporting staff salaries and operating expenses. Prior to receiving this funding, most SITES costs were recovered from the rental fees charged for the traveling exhibitions. In appropriating these funds, it was Congress' intention that new Federal support would allow SITES' rental fees to be reduced, thus enabling museums and cultural centers across the country that could not previously afford those fees to host a SITES exhibition. 

Of the $1.4 million appropriated, approximately one-half supports exhibition production, crating and shipping, insurance and the salaries of several new positions. The remaining funds were intended to support the salaries and benefits of 19 current SITES employees who were to be converted from trust to Federal status, thereby eliminating the largest single cost recovery burden in the SITES budget. 

The Institution developed an administrative plan for implementing these staff conversions. However, this plan was limited by civil service regulations which would not allow the 19 employees -- some with as many as 26 years of Smithsonian service -- to retain their accrued benefits and seniority. This raised serious concerns with regard to the well being of these Smithsonian employees. After conferring with Chairman Yates,  it was concluded that the Smithsonian should pursue a legislative initiative to convert these employees to Federal status and preserve their benefits and seniority ranking to the maximum possible extent. 

The Regents' approval of this initiative and authority to develop appropriate legislative language is sought. Accordingly, the following motion is suggested: